Best time to visit Uyuni Salt Flats: we talk about when to go and why

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As we told you in the post about the possibilities of traveling to Latin America in times of COVID, Bolivia is one of the countries where there is the freedom to travel from Spain and from the U.S. without doing quarantine when you arrive.

With no doubt, if you are thinking about traveling to Bolivia, the Uyuni Salt Flats (Salar de Uyuni) is one of the mandatory stops. This salt flat, located at more than 3,000 meters above sea level, is the largest in the world, and even has a train cemetery in its extension. But that’s just a few places, you can’t imagine the amount of curiosities that the Salar de Uyuni hides.

Once you have clear that Bolivia is a safe point marked in the itinerary of your trip through Latin America, you still have to decide the important thing: When to go to the Salar de Uyuni, because you had planned to go, right?
In today’s post, we talk about the best season of the year to visit this gift of nature and that you get it right with your suitcase. Keep reading!

Best time to visit the Uyuni Salt Flats

The first thing to have into consideration before starting a trip to the Salar de Uyuni, is that depending on the months you decide to visit it, you can find a totally different, but undoubtedly all spectacular landscapes. That’s why we want to tell you about the climate of the Salar de Uyuni according to the season you choose to travel.

As you know, seasons in Latin American countries are completely different from the ones we have in Europe. Thus, summer is from December to March, and in the case of Bolivia, it is distinguished by a warm and humid climate. On the contrary, the winter months are from June to September and are characterized by a cold and dry atmosphere.

It is for this reason, that depending on the time you travel, we will find a climate in the Salar de Uyuni that will condition our experience.

Uyuni Salt Flats in summer

Visiting the Salar at this time of year ensures you find the mirror effect of the sky at your feet. The most iconic photographs of this place are taken during these months, the rainy season, and allow the water to remain on the surface of this immense salt desert. But don’t panic, it usually won’t be more than an inch deep.

The summer weather in Uyuni is also a great ally when visiting since the average temperature during these months is usually above 20ºC.

The only problem of traveling during this season is the possibility of not being able to visit all the immensity that offers us this spectacle of nature. Although most of the sites are totally accessible, we can find places where the accumulated water prevents us from accessing some corners.

Travel to Uyuni Salt Flats in winter

This period is characterized by the fact that we will find the Salar de Uyuni totally dry, in the purest style of the Atacama Desert. This will allow us to drive our Jeep through the whole slat flat, the largest in the world. You can be sure that you will need more time for covering all this immensity.

On the other hand, we are going to encounter a really extreme climate. The temperatures during the winter in Uyuni are below absolute zero, exactly around -3ºC.

Also, we propose you to visit the Polques Hot Springs, a natural hot springs that will give you a break from the cold.

Having into consideration the lots of hours of travel in the car, the cold, and considering that the Salar is at an altitude above 3,500 meters above sea level, make this adventure unsuitable for all the travelers.

Uyuni Salt Flats at night

Without a doubt, visiting this National Reserve at night is one of the best experiences you can take from your visit to Bolivia. In case you have chosen to travel in the summer months.

When the sun goes down, the Salar becomes a magical place. The mirror effect of the sky and the stars on the water create an indescribable atmosphere.

That is why we recommend you saving a night in your diary to spend it in this place and enjoy this experience, which will undoubtedly be one of the most special ones on this trip to South America.

Summarized… When to go to Uyuni Salt Flats??

If you are looking for postcard images, with the water of the salt flat reflecting the Bolivian sky, the best month to travel to the Salar de Uyuni is January or February. Keep in mind that in this rainy season there may be flooded corners that complicate the access to the whole salt flat. In spite of this, the good climate will make the trip more bearable.

On the other hand, if you decide to travel in the winter season, remember to take good warm clothes with you. Both July and August have a climate with more extreme temperatures, added to the immensity of the salt flat, which will make the days harder. On the other hand, as it is a generally dry season, you will have no problem accessing all the places that the salt flats offer.

What about you? Do you already have something clearer about planning your trip to the Salar de Uyuni? What are you waiting for to take your backpack?